Published: Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 7:56 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 7:56 p.m.

Last month's Colonial Athletic Association swimming and diving championships ended predictably: When the UNCW men's team nipped William & Mary for its 13th straight title, longtime coach Dave Allen plunged into the pool to celebrate.

Allen founded the program in 1977 and announced his retirement Wednesday, capping a decorated 37-year run that featured 16 total CAA crowns. He made the decision to retire last summer, shortly after his teams were spared from elimination, and said he's grateful to be able to end his career on his own terms.

Allen kept his retirement plans private, hoping to avoid the spotlight during his final lap with the program, but he's thankful it ended with one last joyful dip.

"I think it made the season a little bit more special," Allen said. "I felt like I cherished each moment. Each day I was at practice with the men and women I enjoyed those moments."

Allen, 66, was hired by Bill Brooks to launch the inaugural team and crafted a model program.

The New York native earned CAA coach of the year honors 15 times and coached 15 All-Americans and 155 conference champions. Six of his former swimmers are in the UNCW Athletic Hall of Fame.

The women's team won his first CAA crown in 1998, and the men's team now has claimed every conference title since 2002.

Athletic director Jimmy Bass called Allen "the most successful coach on our staff and in the conference" in a news release.

"I had never seen a coach so enthusiastic at dual meets and at conference championships," senior Matt Byrd said. "He absolutely loves the sport of swimming, and I've never seen someone so happy and so excited to cheer on his swimmers."

Despite that success, Allen's teams were nearly cut last May at the recommendation of the Intercollegiate Athletics Review Committee. Chancellor Gary Miller ultimately bucked that suggestion, but Allen called the period "stressful."

Last summer, Allen wondered if he could muster the energy to return but was determined to see his team through a season that almost didn't happen. Although several athletes transferred amid the uncertainty, the Seahawks surprised their coach by claiming another title, this one clinched on the meet's final race.

"I can't even express what it meant to see his pure joy," senior Michael Baric said of the ensuing scene. "He just fell to the ground. … I was crying after only being here for four years. I can't imagine what he was feeling after 37."

Allen told Bass on Monday morning he would retire and broke the news to his swimmers in an emotional meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Allen declined to endorse any candidates to replace him but said he hoped it would "stay in the family." He plans to stay on through June 30 and will be on the pool deck later this month for spring practice.

"I didn't want to get to the point where I was just hanging on, and I'm not being a positive benefit for this program," Allen said. "Because it's a program I was fortunate enough to be able to start, and I'm just grateful that I have the opportunity to decide when I finish."

<p>Last month's Colonial Athletic Association swimming and diving championships ended predictably: When the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a> men's team nipped William & Mary for its 13th straight title, longtime coach Dave Allen plunged into the pool to celebrate.</p><p>Allen founded the program in 1977 and announced his retirement Wednesday, capping a decorated 37-year run that featured 16 total CAA crowns. He made the decision to retire last summer, shortly after his teams were spared from elimination, and said he's grateful to be able to end his career on his own terms.</p><p>Allen kept his retirement plans private, hoping to avoid the spotlight during his final lap with the program, but he's thankful it ended with one last joyful dip.</p><p>"I think it made the season a little bit more special," Allen said. "I felt like I cherished each moment. Each day I was at practice with the men and women I enjoyed those moments."</p><p>Allen, 66, was hired by Bill Brooks to launch the inaugural team and crafted a model program.</p><p>The New York native earned CAA coach of the year honors 15 times and coached 15 All-Americans and 155 conference champions. Six of his former swimmers are in the UNCW Athletic Hall of Fame.</p><p>The women's team won his first CAA crown in 1998, and the men's team now has claimed every conference title since 2002.</p><p>Athletic director Jimmy Bass called Allen "the most successful coach on our staff and in the conference" in a news release.</p><p>"I had never seen a coach so enthusiastic at dual meets and at conference championships," senior Matt Byrd said. "He absolutely loves the sport of swimming, and I've never seen someone so happy and so excited to cheer on his swimmers."</p><p>Despite that success, Allen's teams were nearly cut last May at the recommendation of the Intercollegiate Athletics Review Committee. Chancellor Gary Miller ultimately bucked that suggestion, but Allen called the period "stressful."</p><p>Last summer, Allen wondered if he could muster the energy to return but was determined to see his team through a season that almost didn't happen. Although several athletes transferred amid the uncertainty, the Seahawks surprised their coach by claiming another title, this one clinched on the meet's final race.</p><p>"I can't even express what it meant to see his pure joy," senior Michael Baric said of the ensuing scene. "He just fell to the ground. … I was crying after only being here for four years. I can't imagine what he was feeling after 37."</p><p>Allen told Bass on Monday morning he would retire and broke the news to his swimmers in an emotional meeting Wednesday afternoon.</p><p>Allen declined to endorse any candidates to replace him but said he hoped it would "stay in the family." He plans to stay on through June 30 and will be on the pool deck later this month for spring practice.</p><p>"I didn't want to get to the point where I was just hanging on, and I'm not being a positive benefit for this program," Allen said. "Because it's a program I was fortunate enough to be able to start, and I'm just grateful that I have the opportunity to decide when I finish."</p>